Amid growing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad reports that the State Department has ordered all “non-emergency” U.S. government employees to leave Iraq. The statement, on Wednesday, May 15, includes the following:
The U.S. State Department has ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. Government employees from Iraq, both at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. Consulate in Erbil. Normal visa services at both posts will be temporarily suspended. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq.
Actions to Take:
- Depart Iraq by commercial transportation as soon as possible
- Avoid U.S. facilities within Iraq
- Monitor local media for updates
- Review personal security plans
- Remain aware of surroundings
- Review the complete Travel Advisory for Iraq
- Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas
Since last year, after Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 nuclear peace deal between Iran and the largest world powers, and then issued additional sanctions against Iran, tensions between the two countries have continued to mount. Radio Free Europe reports:
Washington has ramped up pressure on Tehran in recent days, bolstering the U.S. military presence in the region to counter what U.S. officials called "imminent" threats from Iran against the interests of the United States or its allies.
Iran dismissed the allegations, and announced it was suspending some of its commitments it made under the nuclear agreement in exchange for sanctions relief.
According to separate statements released by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, war is not being sought by country. Their statements came after a drone attack on Saudi oil facilities was launched by Huthi rebels reportedly backed by Iran. Details remain unclear other than that there were no casualties.
The U.S. Embassy in Iraq states that all normal visa services have been suspended for now. A revised travel advisory issued by the State Department adds, "Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict,” and reads:
U.S. citizens in Iraq are at high risk for violence and kidnapping. Numerous terrorist and insurgent groups are active in Iraq and regularly attack both Iraqi security forces and civilians. Anti-U.S. sectarian militias may also threaten U.S. citizens and Western companies throughout Iraq. Attacks by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) occur in many areas of the country, including Baghdad.
The U.S. government’s ability to provide routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq is extremely limited. On May 15, 2019, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. Consulate in Erbil; normal visa services will be temporarily suspended at both posts. On October 18, 2018, the Department of State ordered the temporary suspension of operations at the U.S. Consulate General in Basrah. The American Citizens Services (ACS) Section at the U.S. Embassy Baghdad will continue to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in Basrah.
The advisory warns U.S. citizens not to go through Iraq when traveling to Syria to avoid extreme personal risks (kidnapping, injury, or death) and legal risks.
In an unexpected visit to Baghdad last week, Pompeo met with Iraqi officials to discuss U.S. concerns and “escalating” Iranian activity—though it’s unclear what that activity is. Pompeo said Iran’s threats were specific, but, again, would not give details. This was after Trump announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier battle group and a B-52 bomber force to the Persian Golf. Pompeo told the press that the message the U.S. sent to Iran should encourage Iranians to “think twice about attacking American interests.”
"Psychological warfare" were the words Tehran used when describing what it believes Washington is attempting.
Ever since Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear accord, after saying its stipulations were not hard enough on Iran (because, you know, Trump knows better than all the biggest world powers combined), he has been taunting Iran, as he did with North Korea—and look how well that has turned out. In turn, Iran continues to deny any support of any insurgent activity and states that its nuclear activity is “strictly for civilian energy purposes.”
But Trump continues to throw punches and aggravate, giving the world the impression that he wants an unnecessary war.